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Infertility

Treatments for infertility

There are many treatments available today for infertility. And while we seem to hear more about the more advanced therapies -- like in vitro fertilization -- through the media and in conversation, about 85-90% of infertile couples can be treated using more low-tech, non-invasive techniques. These techniques include hormone therapies or fertility drugs and surgical procedures that either correct a problem in the woman or get the man’s sperm closer to where they need to go. Continue reading to learn more about the various forms of low-tech treatments available or for a brief look at some of the more advanced therapies available for those couples needing more help.

Hormonal therapies and surgical procedures

Hormonal therapies are medications that are used to treat infertility when it’s caused by hormonal imbalances. Follicle development and ovulation in women and sperm development in men, can be impaired when there is either not enough hormones or they are not released at the right time, making the chances for conception much lower than normal. Medications can successfully be used to restore the hormonal balance and induce ovulation or sperm development.

Commonly prescribed medications include:

Clomid (clomiphene citrate or Serophene) to induce ovulation, when the male partner is fertile. This medication is in a pill form and is taken daily. Tests will be done to predict ovulation and you’ll be instructed to have scheduled intercourse based on those findings. Couples should try Clomid for a period of 3-6 months before moving on to more aggressive medications.

Fertinex, Follistim and Gonal-F (contain FSH for follicle-stimulating hormone) and/or Pergonal, Humegon and Repronex (hMG for human menopausal gonadotropin) to stimulate the development of follicles containing eggs. These medications are given by injection either through self-administration with a small needle that goes just under the skin’s surface or it is injected intramuscularly by a physician. You will be closely monitored with blood tests and ultrasounds to ensure rising hormone levels and follicle maturation while on these medications.

In addition to using medications for infertility treatment, physicians may decide to use surgical procedures to help couples achieve pregnancy. Used in conjunction with medications or alone, surgeries to correct anatomical problems or abnormalities in either partner can be all that is needed to restore fertility. Surgery can be performed to remove scarring or adhesions from past infections or to treat endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and other uterine or tubal problems.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an in-office procedure whereby a physician inserts sperm (produced by masturbation) directly into the uterus at or near the time of ovulation.